Guest lorna2610 Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 hi there we are applying for the 176 ss visa and we are in the process of submitting our research to our migration agent, i need to know more about the healthcare system in canberra how do you go about finding a dr, dentist, optician etc, are there any websites i could look at we are hoping to be out for around next june, any info anyone could give us would be very much appreciated thanks :spinny: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mongrel Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 hi there we are applying for the 176 ss visa and we are in the process of submitting our research to our migration agent, i need to know more about the healthcare system in canberra how do you go about finding a dr, dentist, optician etc, are there any websites i could look at we are hoping to be out for around next june, any info anyone could give us would be very much appreciated thanks :spinny: Dont know bout Canberra but its the same as in Perth , there are docs and dentists in suberbs , opticians , opms ,specsavers hundreds , you go to any docs you want ,fill in a form and you are in ,we have been in 4 different locations in Perth and been to 3 different doctors. All the form is to put your details on the computer with your medicare details. Its different to the uk. M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Samfire Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 The public healthcare system they use is Medicare (see attached link) - this is like the NHS or HSE in Ireland. Medicare Australia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medicare_(Australia) They run a subsidised prescription drug scheme for those who qualify and you can sign up for it as soon as you arrive in Canberra. There are five public hospitals in and around the Canberra area, according to the following website, and numerous Private hospitals also. canberra hospitals You are advised to take out Private health insurance in addition to the Medicare entitlements, to give you a broader range of cover to additional services and a lesser waiting time for specialists etc. We haven't moved out there yet, so my knowledge is limited to the above-mentioned. I think you may be charged for ambulance services if you should require their assistance, so it's definitely best to plan for private health insurance. Good luck! Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lorna2610 Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 The public healthcare system they use is Medicare (see attached link) - this is like the NHS or HSE in Ireland. Medicare Australia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medicare_(Australia) They run a subsidised prescription drug scheme for those who qualify and you can sign up for it as soon as you arrive in Canberra. There are five public hospitals in and around the Canberra area, according to the following website, and numerous Private hospitals also. canberra hospitals You are advised to take out Private health insurance in addition to the Medicare entitlements, to give you a broader range of cover to additional services and a lesser waiting time for specialists etc. We haven't moved out there yet, so my knowledge is limited to the above-mentioned. I think you may be charged for ambulance services if you should require their assistance, so it's definitely best to plan for private health insurance. Good luck! Hope this helps. thanks so much for your advice and comments this is exactly what i was looking for Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quoll Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 Canberra has a horrible shortage of GPs but you can still usually get into a practice somewhere. The best way to find one is to ask around the area where you will be living - someone will usually recommend "the best" in the neighbourhood. Dont expect to find one that bulk bills though like most Poms on here recommend, they are scarcer than hens teeth and usually in the medical centres (no guaranteed continuity of care). There are two A&E departments if you need emergency treatment (Canberra Hospital and Calvary). If you are likely to have any need for elective surgery you may want to take out private health insurance which would cut your waiting time down from what is now reported to be the longest waiting times for elective procedures anywhere in Aus (not a good look) but generally you will be able to access your GP and other basic services through medicare with a small co-payment for each visit (about $30 out of your pocket). Dentists are all over the place too - again, just ask around when you get here for who people recommend. We go to one in Belconnen Mall and he has always done whatever we have needed but there will be loads of others out there for the choosing. If your kids need orthodontics then start saving because it will cost you at least $6000 - there is a good orthodontist on the shores of Lake Ginninderra. Optometrists are all over the place - most of them are general but there are a couple who are recommended if you have kids especially with learning difficulties. Interestingly, most of them bulk bill which means that you dont get stung for the co-payment for assessment, just the specs. There are some medical specializations where your best bet is to find a specialist in Sydney (neurology is one that springs to mind unless we have new consultants around) and heavens forbid if anything happened to one of your kids but paediatric surgery is probably better done in Sydney but of course the basics will be done in Canberra. For all of them, the Yellow pages is the place to go to see them all listed. Then when you get here, just ask around at your workplace or the school and you will get the backfence gossip recommendations - they are as valid as any I reckon! At least you will know who to avoid!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Taff Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 Quoll nailed it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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